With Hurricane Sandy approaching and heavy rains expected beginning Sunday, My Plumber Heating & Cooling is revving up for the onslaught of phone calls we’ll get due to flooded basements and broken sump pumps. Following are some preventative maintenance tips that you can do yourself to ensure that your sump pump is in good working order.
First, make sure your pump is plugged in, then pour 5 gallons of water in the pit where the pump is located. If the sump pump engages and the water disappears, then the sump pump is working. Next, check the drain pipe outside. The water should be directed away from the home, not splashing next to it where it can be reabsorbed.
If the water stands in the pit and the sump pump remains silent, check to make sure the cord is plugged in. If the power cord is plugged in properly, then check your breaker box and make sure the breaker switch is engaged.
If the water does not disappear from the pit, but the sump pump turns on, then gently shake the discharge pipe to make sure that the float is not stuck. If that doesn’t work please give us a call.
If you find that your sump pump is not working, give us a call immediately. We have reserved several pallets of brand new sump pumps and battery back-up systems to protect your home from water damage. We have over 30 years of experience and offer the best warranties in our industry and look forward to serving you.